Schoolies Safety

Your Schoolies festival will be one of the most exciting and awesome weeks of your life, The 1800SCHOOLIES team will take every possible action to ensure you have a safe and memorable holiday, we implement a number of safety measures including:

• help line for students and their parents during Schoolies Week
• Security arrangements at every 1800SCHOOLIES property
• We supply each 1800SCHOOLIES guest with a Building ID Pass
• Comprehensive emergency and support contact information

Red Frogs
Red Frogs is an internationally recognized schoolies support network which has been operating for over 12 years. Since their induction into schoolies on the Gold Coast in 1997, the Red Frog Crew have given out tonnes of Allen's Frogs Alive Red Frogs every year as an ice-breaker at 17 schoolies and leavers festivals around Australia.

Over 1200 Red Frogs Crew volunteers aim to support school-leavers through their week-long celebrations, providing a positive presence within their party culture. The Red Frog Crew assist school-leavers by walking young people home, cooking pancakes, cleaning rooms, handing out Allen's Red Frogs and most importantly, offering emotional support through what can often be a challenging week.
Red Frogs Hotline1300 557 123
Red Frogs Website

Safety

A variety of support services will be offered during Schoolies Week at key destinations. There is a highly visible presence of services such as police, security, emergency services, officials and volunteers. They offer general support, medical assistance, advice and information. In the past, Surfers Paradise has also offered a Schoolies only zone to prevent the toolies from taking part in the celebrations.

QLD Government

The QLD government provides helpful information on many different topics relating to Schoolies. Safety Tips, Info booklets, How to Get Around, Budget Calculator for Schoolies, Access and Identification, Schoolies Q & A and much much more.
QLD Government Schoolies Website

Wristbands & Activities

The QLD Government provides wristbands to every Schoolie holidaying on the Gold Coast. Details on how to obtain a wristband will be made available late 2010.

Activities are exclusively for Schoolies and require proof of Year 12 student ID to access.

Schoolies are urged to keep their wristband on for the entire duration of their stay on the Gold Coast. If you remove or share this wristband it will make it invalid.

Fines and the law

• If you're arrested for an offence, you may be finger-printed and photographed.
• If you're convicted of a criminal offence, you could have difficulty getting a job or even be prevented from obtaining a visa to travel overseas.

Alcohol
Police and Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation inspectors can issue on-the-spot fines for:

• drinking in a public place (18 years and over): $100
• underage drinking or possession of liquor in a public place, even if you're holding a drink for your friend who is over 18: $300*
• being under 18 and found on licensed premises: $300*
• being under 18 and found drinking or just holding a drink for a friend on licensed premises $300*

*or you could face a court-imposed fine of up to $2500 for each offence
Adults who provide alcohol to underage children where there is no responsible supervision face fines of up to $8000.
Drugs

• Possessing or supplying illegal drugs can lead to severe penalties.
• Supplying others with illegal drugs is a serious criminal offence.
• Possessing a bong that is used for smoking cannabis is an offence.

Identification
Don't fake it! It's illegal to use someone else's ID or make a fake ID.

• If you use a friend's ID you may be fined $300 on the spot.
• If you lend your ID to a friend you may be fined up to $500 and the ID may be confiscated on the spot.
• If you deface an ID to use it, you may be fined $400 on the spot.
• If you make and use a fake ID you may be fined $600 on the spot.
• You could also be taken to court and fined up to $2500 for each offence you commit.

All fake IDs will be confiscated.

Sun and surf

Sun safety
Any sun exposure will induce tanning, burning and skin damage, so always protect your skin. Remember, the best form of anti-wrinkle cream is to stay out of the sun.

Here are some hot tips:

• Minimise time in the sun between 10am and 3pm - peak UV time.
• Slip on clothes that will protect you from the UV rays.
• Slop on sunscreen (SPF30+) 20 minutes before you go out into the sun; reapply every two hours.
• Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that protects your face, neck and ears from being burnt.
• Seek shade - trees, sails, whatever.
• Slide on your sunnies so your eyes don't get fried.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid getting dehydrated.
• SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, SEEK, SLIDE - it's EASY!

We all know that the sun causes skin cancer. More sun equals more chances of getting skin cancer!
For more information, call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20 or visit Cancer Council Queensland

Surf safety
The safest place to swim is between the red and yellow flags. 
Yellow flag indicates potentially dangerous conditions (caution)
Red flag means danger, don't enter the water - STOP! A red flag means the beach is closed for swimming.
Red and white chequered flag means a shark or crocodile has been sighted. Get out of the water fast!
Blue flag shows board-riding areas for surfers.

What is a rip?
A rip is a strong current running out to sea from a surf beach and usually occurs when a channel forms between two sandbars. Rips can quickly carry a swimmer out into deep water.

How do I know if I'm in a rip?
Take note of a landmark before you go into the water. When you are in the water and want to return to the beach, compare your distance from the beach with the landmark. If you have been swimming for a while but not getting any closer to the beach, chances are you are in a rip.

If you're caught in a rip, obey the ‘Three Rs':

• Relax: Stay calm and float, don't swim against the current, swim across it.
• Raise: Raise an arm to signal for help.
• Rescue: Float and wait for assistance.  Do not panic - people drown in rips because they panic.  A lifesaver or lifeguard will be out as soon as possible.  Obey directions from the rescuer.

For more information about beach safety call Surf Life Saving Queensland on 3846 8000 or visit Surf Life Saving Queensland

Alcohol or drugs don't mix in the water!
Consuming alcohol with drugs or other substances, including prescription medication, is often a factor in road or boating accidents and drownings. Alcohol and drugs both impair judgment and make a person more likely to take risks. The person's ability to respond to a potentially dangerous situation is also greatly reduced. A swimmer who has been drinking or taking drugs may tire more easily and is more likely to vomit and potentially inhale stomach contents - which can be fatal!

Drinking and boating
Just as you should not drink and drive a car, you should not drink and sail a boat.

• 0.05 per cent blood alcohol concentration also applies on the water (less for provisional drivers).
• You need a licence to drive a jet ski.
• FINES APPLY.

For all boating and Jet Ski rules, visit Marine Safety Queensland

Sex and you

• If you're going out, always go with at least one other person you know.
• Always stay aware of your surroundings.
• Use confident body language - stand tall with your head up, shoulders back and walk with a purpose.
• If you sense danger or pick up ‘bad vibes' from someone or some place, trust your instincts. Leave immediately and go to a place where you feel safe.
• Make sure your friends know who to call in an emergency (for example, your parents).
• Alcohol and drugs can affect your ability to think clearly and make good decisions

If someone pays you unwanted attention, tell them, assertively, to leave you alone. If they persist:

• Move to another area or join a group of people.
• Draw attention to their unwanted behaviour by telling them again in a loud voice to leave you alone and that you're not interested in them.
• Get help from a friend, volunteer, security person, or police officer.

Be prepared and be safe
Sex is not always planned. Carry condoms with you. By having safe sex, you will reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy.

Sexual assault
Sexual assault is any sexual activity to which a person does not give consent. This includes rape, unwanted touching, sexual harassment, indecent exposure and sex-related insults. Sexual assault is a crime.

Remember

• Don't be pressured into any sexual activity. If it does not feel right, say NO.
• Listen when people say NO. It's wrong to put pressure on someone, even if they are your boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Set sexual limits as soon as you can so you both feel comfortable.
• Spending money on someone does not give you the right to expect sexual favours. And just because someone spends money on you does not mean you owe them sexual favours.

Never try to convince someone to have sex with you. Respect the rights of others to say NO.

What should I do if I have been sexually assaulted?
If you're in a situation where sexual behaviour is unwanted, forced or coerced, it is NOT okay. Contact the police on 000 or go to the nearest police station.

It's important to know that it's not your fault and you don't have to deal with it alone. Tell someone you trust. You may also need to see a doctor who can treat any injuries or sexually transmitted infections.

For confidential free support, phone the Sexual Assault Help Line (statewide) on free call 1800 010 120. This service is available, 7.30am-midnight, seven days a week.

Schoolies contacts

Alcohol and drugs

Police and Emergency Services
Call 000 in an emergency (or 112 from a mobile phone)

Accommodation

Sexual Health

Transport

Youth Violence

Legal Advice

Queensland Government Services

Other Useful Contacts